Arts agency boss Janet Archer condemned over failings

The chief executive of Scotland’s national arts agency has been heavily criticised by MSPs over its “completely unsatisfactory performance”.

Janet Archer told the Scottish parliament that she was profoundly sorry for mistakes in its funding process, which led to an outcry from companies that did not win a share of a £99 million fund. She admitted that a second scheme, which might provide some relief to disappointed organisations, had not yet been signed off by the Creative Scotland board.

Joan McAlpine, convener of Holyrood’s culture committee, said that its members were “absolutely astonished” by the agency’s failings after Ms Archer’s appearance in parliament alongside Ben Thomson, the former interim chairman of Creative Scotland.

Ms McAlpine said: “It is deeply worrying that concerns are being expressed…

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